Help! How do nice nurses get any respect?

[GraceNotes]

I need some encouragement. I am a 1 ½ years new RN in my second job and feel like I've made a terrible mistake in choosing this field--not because of the work, but because I'm just not thick-skinned enough. I work at a community clinic--my reason for going into nursing--and was happy to get this job. Turns out I am not so welcome; there is an LPN that seems determined to make my life miserable by pointing out every little thing I do wrong (behind my back, not to me) and by throwing weekly tantrums about something I did or said. And there's no talking to her to work things out--I tried a couple of times and the situation only escalated. She slings accusations and bullies the staff in front of others (including the director of nursing) and, yet, no one supports one another. And the MAs, no matter how nice I ask ("are you busy?" "when you have time would you..?"), absolutely refuse to treat me like a team member, giving me zero cooperation. It's so messed up and I want to leave so bad, but what do I say, "I'm leaving because you guys won't play nice?" I feel so screwed right now...

[noreenl]

Honestly It soundslike its time to remind yourself of who is ultimately legally responsible for what at your worksite! If you are the only RN THEN IT'S YOU!

Have you tried requesting a meeting concerning Pt complaints about staff behavior in the clinic? Managers are always worried about $ so that could be a way to reach them. If the DON is not supporting the nurses then LEAVE> It will never get any better and you will end up frustrated burned out and eventually hating nursing because those idiots will be a daily reminder of what nursing is for you. When ll you see is petty BS then all you feel is the petty BS and your being suffers. take care of yourself, because otherwise you will have nothing left to take care of anyone else! It's another form of Compassion Fatigue!

[GraceNotes]

Yeah, I do protect myself, and I'm not the only RN there--the others admitted to having problems with the same staff. One even expressed relief that I'm being targeted instead of her. I really try to focus on patient care; it's just hard to do my job without support. Thanks for responding. It's nice to know somebody's listening out there...